Indonesia urges speedy recognition of Palestine by Australia, East Asian countries

Indonesia has called for expediting the official recognition of Palestine by Australia and East Asian governments. 

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a recorded press statement run by media on Saturday that to recognize Palestine by the governments in Australia, Japan, and South Korea would be a real “game-changer” in the decades-long effort to achieve peace in the West Asian region.

Indonesian leaders, who have been staunch supporters of a Palestinian state, see Palestinian statehood as the final abolition of colonialism in the region.

During the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Vientiane, Laos, which included meetings with Western and East Asian leaders, Indonesia's Vice President Ma’ruf Amin raised the issue of Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

“The vice president brought the message of Palestine in almost every meeting,” Marsudi said in the recorded press statement.

“But specifically during meetings with South Korea, Japan, and Australia, the vice president urged them to recognize Palestine as soon as possible.”

The State of Palestine is recognized by 146 countries around the world as of June this year, comprising about 75 percent of all UN member states.

While most of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa recognize Palestinian statehood, the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea are among those that do not.

“Indonesia has consistently called for all countries which have yet to recognize Palestine to do so. We believe this move will be a game-changer in the peace process for Palestine specifically and also in the Middle East,” the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Roy Soemirat said on Sunday.

He said by recognizing Palestine as a country peace will be restored to the war-stricken region.

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"It is only right for all countries to act to stop further loss of life,” Soemirat said.

“With recognition, we believe that Palestine will have a stronger bargaining position against Israel, as both countries become widely recognized by the international community," he said.

“It is high time for these countries to give their recognition of Palestine. Any more delay and Israel will continue with its violent attacks.”

The Israeli regime forces' genocidal war against the Palestinians trapped in the besieged Gaza Strip since October 2023 has left at least 42,227 people killed and 98,464 wounded.

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